Window structure



March s, 1966 G. c. HAYMAN 3,238,572

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Deo. 11, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. e l/@mm T i @mill March 8, 1966 G. C. HAYMAN 3,238,572

wINDow STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 1l, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 55 E ZZ SQ/M 4.

7 INVENTOR. 4g lg/0596617 77mm *35 52% ill# United States Patent O 3,238,572 WINDOW STRUCTURE George C. Hayman, Denver, Colo., assignor to Leslie Welding Co., Inc., Franklin Park, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 329,769 12 Claims. (Cl. 20-52.4)

The present invention relates to a novel window structure, and more specifically to a window structure of a type having a movable sash.

Problems encountered in obtaining a satisfactory Window structure include the provision of an effective weather-seal between the window sash and the Window frame, and the provision of a construction which may be operated smoothly and easily. Various proposals have been made in an attempt to obtain desirable operating characteristics and an effective weather-seal, but many of suc-h heretofore proposed structures have been relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture and install.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel window structure which is relatively simple and economical and which at the same time includes effective weather-sealing means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel window structure of the above described type which is constructed so as to facilitate movement of the sash smoothly and easily.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel window structure of the above described type and more specifically a novel sash guide or track and sealing means therefor which is of simple, economical and rugged or long lasting construction.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view .showing a window structure incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken generally along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the manner in which a portion of the window structure may be assembled; Y

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the sash guide and sealing means constructed in accordance with a feature of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged part-ially exploded fragmentary sectional View taken generally along line 5 5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional View similar to FIG. 5 but showing the window sash in a fully assembled condition; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View s-imilar to FIG. 6 and showing a portion of the structure in greater detail.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a window structure 10 incorporating features of the present invention comprises a frame having oppositeside or jamb members 12 and 14. The lower ends of the jamb members 12 and 14 are connected with a sill 16 and upper ends of the jamb members are connected with a header 18. In the embodiment shown the window structure is of the double-hung type and includes upper and lower sashes 20 and 22 respectively.

The sash 20 comprises opposite side frame members 24 and 26 and upper and lower frame members 28 and 30. The lower sash also includes opposite side frame members 32 and 34 connected to upper and lower frame members 36 and 38.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention the window structure includes track or guide means 40 rmice and 42 mounted along the jambs 12 and 14 respectively for retaining and guiding the opposite margins of the sash and also for sealingly engaging the sash. The guide or track means 40 and 42 comprise channel members which are preferably extruded from a tough resilient plastic material such as polyethylene or nylon having antifriction characteristics for facilitating movement of the window sash and also being sufficiently resilient for conforming to irregularities in the .surface of the sash and promoting an effective weather-seal. The channel members of the guide or track means 40 and 42 have the same crosssectional configuration and are substantially identical but oppositely disposed, as shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, the channel member of the guide or track means 42 may be formed in one piece having a length substantially the same as the length of the window side frame or jamb member 14 while the guide means 40 includes separate channel members 44 and 46 for permitting assembly of the window structure in the manner described in detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the combined length of the channel members 44 and 46 is substantially equal to the length of the jamb member 12. Furthermore, the length of the uppermost channel member 44 is preferably slightly less than the height of the window sash, while the length of the lower channel member 46 is slightly greater than the height of the sash.

As indicated above, all of the channel members of the guide means 40 and 42 have the same cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIGS. 5-7 and, therefore, corresponding elements of the various channel members are identified by the same reference numerals. Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 5-7, it is seen that each of the channel members comprises first and -second portions 46 and 48 disposed in slots 50 and 52 in the associated jamb member. Each portion 46 includes spaced apart leg sections 54 and 56 joined by a ilexure spring-like arcuate bight portion 58. Similarly each of the portions 48 includes spaced apart leg sections 60 and 62 joined by a ilexure spring-l-ike curved bight portion 64. Preferably the leg sections 56 and 66 are substantially straight and are formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 65 and 67 adapted sealingly to engage adjacent side walls of the slots 50 and 52. Furthermore, outer ends of the sections 56 and 60 are preferably integrally joined by a transverse web 68.

As shown in FIG. 5, the leg sections 54 and 62 are initially extruded or otherwise formed so as to extend reversely from the bight portions 58 and 64 toward the leg sections 56 and 60 respectively for dening restricted slot-like throats 76 and 72. However, outer end portions 74 and 76 of the leg sections 54 and 62 extend generally parallel to the leg sections 56 and 66.

The side frame members of the sash are formed with longitudinally extending narrow flanges 78-80 ,and 82-84. These flanges have a thickness which is substantially less than the thickness of the sash frame members and which, at the same time, is greater than the width of the restricted throats 70 and 72 and similar to the transverse extent of the arcuate bight portions 58 and 64. When the structure is fully assembled, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the aforementioned flanges on the sash project into the throats 70 and 72 and are embraced by the side sections 54-56 and 62-66 respectively. In order to accomplish assembly of the sash with the channel members, it is necessary to deflect the reversely extending sections 54 and 62 and adjacent portions of the bight sections from the normal positions shown in FIG. 5 to the expanded positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The inherent resiliency in the material from which the channel members are formed continuously biases the flexed sections toward their normal position and causes the flanges of the sash to be aggressively .and resiliently gripped between the outer end portions 74 and '76 of the side sections 54 and 62 and the opposing outer end portions of the side sections 56 and 66. This aggressive engagement causes effective weatherseals Ito be provided along two separate lines between each of the sashes and adjacent portions of the channel members and more specifically between opposite sides f each of vthe flanges and the sections 54-56 and 62-66.

As previously indicated, the ribs 65 and 67 provide seals between the channel members and the window frame or jamb members. In order to obtain additional sealing between Ithe channel members and the jamb members, resilient continuous and longitudinally extending flanges 86 and 88 extend from the sections 54 and 62. The flanges 86 and 88 project substantially perpendicularly in opposite directions from the end portions 74 and 76 of the side sections 54 and 62 so as to overlie .the inwardly facing surfaces of the jamb. It will be noted that when the sashes are fully assembled, yas shown in FIG. 6, and the end portions 72 and 76 are flexed outwardly from their normal positions, the flanges 86 and S8 will be flexed and aggressively urged against the jamb as shown in FIG. 6.

Each of the channel members also includes longitudinally extending flanges 90 and 92 respectively, integral with the sections 56 and 66 and projecting into the throats 70 and 72. The flanges 90 and 92 provide abutments or stops for engaging and guiding the laterally outwardly facing edges of the sash flanges and thereby maintaining the sashes properly centered between the opposite guide means. It is to be noted that the flanges or guide elements 90 and 92 are -disposed slightly laterally inwardly from the inner surfaces of the jambs so as to prevent the sashes lfrom frictionally engaging the jambs whereby to promote easier and smoother operation of the sash.

In order to retain the sashes in any desired adjusted position, the window structure is provided with a counterbalancing means 94 associated with the sash 20 and a counterbalancing means 96 associated with the sash 22. These counterbalancing means respectively include elongated tension springs 98 and 100 disposed in the slots or channels defined by the guide or track portions 36 and 43. Upper ends of the springs are secured to the window frame by fastening elements or screws 102 and 104, as shown in FIG. 2. Lower ends of the springs are connected with hook-like elements 106 and 108 respectively, which project from the slots and engage beneath the lower edges of the sashes and 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As will be understood, the force provided by each of the counterbalancing springs is suflicient to support the weight of its associated sash so that the sash will remain in any position to which it may be adjusted.

When assembling the frame structure, the one-piece elongated channel member of the guide or tra-ck means 42 is assembled with the jamb 14, and the upper channel member 44 of the guide or track means 40 is assembled with the jamb 12 and secured in position. Then the sashes 20 and 22 are assembled with the channel member of the guide means 42 and the channel member 44. This is accomplished by placing the sashes one at a time in the lower portion of the window opening and engaging their marginal flanges with the channel member of the guide or track means 42. When the sashes are in the lower portion of the window opening, their upper margins are beneath the lower end of the channel member 44. This enables the sashes to be aligned with the channel member 44 and then assemble-d therewith by moving the sashes upwardly as shown in FIG. 3. When the sashes have been assembled with the guide or track means 42 and the channel member 44, the lower margins of the sashes project slightly below the lower end of the channel member 44, as shown in FIG. 3. Then the channel member 46 is assembled by inserting the upper end thereof between the jamb 12 and the lower margin of the sashes as shown in FIG. 3. Since the length of the -channel member 46 is greater than the distance between the window sill 16 land the lower margins of the sashes, it is necessary to bend or flex the channel member 46 in a manner shown in order to enable the upper end thereof to be inserted between the sashes and the jamb 12. The inherent resiliency of the plastic material from which the channel member 46 is formed enables the channel member to be flexed in this manner without injury thereto. After the upper end of the channel member has been inserted in a manner described, the remainder of the channel member may be shifted laterally and forced into the slots in the jamb 12 in order to complete the assembly operation.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new, and desire to `secure by United States Letters Patents, is:

1. In .a win-dow structure having a frame including opposite side frame members and a sash shiftably disposed between said frame members and including opposite side members, the combination comprising guide ch-annel members disposed along said opposite side frame members, each of said channel members including relatively resilient opposite wall sections resiliently embracing and sealingly engaging forwardly and rearwardly facing marginal portions of said sash side members, each of said channel members including an arcuate flexure spring bight portion joining said wall sections, one of said wall sections of each channel member being movable toward and away from the other of said wall sections upon flexing of said bight portions for promoting aggressive sealing engagement of said wall sections against the said forwardly and rearwardly facing marginal portions of said sash side members, an-d each of said guide channel members including a flange spaced from the bight portion and extending from one of the wall sections toward the other of the wal-l sections and engageable with a laterally facing edge of the sash.

2. A combination, as defined in claim 1, where-in an additional sash is shiftably disposed between the side frame members and each of said guide channel members comprises parallel pairs of said opposite wall sections, one of the pairs of Wall sections being in sealing engagement with the forwardly and rearwardly facing marginal portions of one of said sashes and the other of said pairs of wall sections being in engagement with the forwardly and rearwardly facing marginal portions of the other of said sashes.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said side members of said sashes have a predetermined length and which includes two of said channel members disposed along one of said side frame members, said two of said channel members being in axial alignment and having a combined length similar to the length of said side frame member, one of said last mentioned channel members having a length less than said length of the sash side members and the other of said last mentioned channel members having a length greater than the length of said sash side members.

4. In a window having a frame including opposite side frame members having longitudinally extending slots therein and a sash shiftably disposed between said frame members and including opposite side members, the combination comprising guide channel members disposed along said opposite side frame members, each of said channel members includingl relatively resilent opposite and spaced apart wall sections disposed in and projecting from a slot in its associatedside frame member and resiliently embracing and sealingly engaging forwardly and rearwardly facing marginal portions of said sash side members, and each of said channel members including a ilexure spring bight portion having an arcuate transverse cross-sectional configuration integrally joining said wall sections.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said wall sections of each of said channel members extends reversely from its associated bight portion toward the other of said wall sections and includes a marginal portion extending generally parallel to said other of said wall sections.

6. A combination as dened in claim 4, which includes rib means projecting from one of said wall sections and engageable with a side of the slot in the adjacent side frame member and providing a seal between the channel member and the side frame member.

7. A combination as defined in claim 4, which includes a longitudinally extending resilient ange integral with and projecting transversely outwardly from one of said wall sections and resiliently engaging a surface of the adjacent side frame member facing inwardly of the window structure and providing a seal between the channel member and said last mentioned side frame member.

8. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said channel member comprises a longitudinally extending flange integral with one of said wall sections and projecting toward the other of said wall sections for engaging and guiding a laterally facing edge ofthe sash.

9. A guide channel member of tough resilient material having antifriction characteristics for mounting in a slot in a side frame member of a window structure of the type described, comprising longitudinally extending opposed and spaced apart relatively resilient and substantially parallel wall sections to project from said slot and embrace and sealingly engage forwardly and rearwardly facing marginal portions of a window sash, each of said wall sections including a margin continuing from said wall sections to project into said slot, and a flexure spring bight portion having an arcuate transverse crosssection and having integral junction points with said margins, said junction points being substantially in the planes of their respective wall sections.

10. A channel member as defined in claim 9, which includes a longitudinally extending flange integral with one of said wall sections and projecting toward the other of said wall sections for engaging and guiding a laterally facing edge of a sash.

11. A channel member as defined in claim 9, wherein said channel member includes longitudinally extending rib means integral with one of said wall sections and engageable with a side surface of said slot, and a resilient longitudinally extending flange integral with one of said wall sections and extending outwardly therefrom away from the other of said wall sections for overlying and engaging a surface of the frame member facing inwardly of the window structure for providing weather-seals between the channel member and the frame member.

12. A channel member as dened in claim 9, which includes pairs of said wall sections respectively for engagement with separate window sash in a double hung window structure, and a longitudinally extending web portion integrally joining one wall section of one of said pairs with an adjacent wall section of the other of said pa1rs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 542,726 7/ 1895 Cleveland 20-12 2,594,419 5/1952 Smith 20-52.4 2,687,577 8/1954 Ribaudo 20-55 2,7 60,607 8/ 1956 Bongiovanni 189-75 2,999,279 9/ 1961 Lauer 20-52 3,004,308 10/1961 Young 20-64 3,080,023 3/ 1963 Armstrong 189--64 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

4. IN A WINDOW HAVING A FRAME INCLUDING OPPOSITE SIDE FRAME MEMBERS HAVING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOTS THEREIN AND A SASH SHIFTABLY DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FRAME MEMBERS AND INCLUDING OPPOSITE SIDE MEMBERS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING GUIDE CHANNEL MEMBERS DISPOSED ALONG SAID OPPOSITE SIDE FRAME MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS INCLUDING RELATIVELY RESILIENT OPPOSITE AND SPACED APART WALL SECTIONS DIPOSED IN A PROJECTING FROM A SLOT IN ITS ASSOCIATED SIDE FRAME MEMBER AND RESILIENTLY EMBRACING AND SEALINGLY ENGAGING FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY FACING MARGINAL PORTIONS OF SAID SASH SIDE MEMBERS, AND EACH OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS INCLUDING A FLEXURE SPRING HEIGHT PORTION HAVING AN ARCUATE TRANS- 